DFCC Bank in shock win over Police

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

BASKETBALL: Underdogs DFCC Bank registered a stunning 79 points to 73 victory over the favourites Sri Lanka Police Sports Club who remained unbeaten to book their place in the men’s final of the Nature VI Basketball Tournament played at Mercantile Cricket Association Courts, Colombo 7 with the finals scheduled for today (September 1) commencing at 6.00 p.m.

The tournament is being sponsored by the David Peiris Motor Company Private Limited.

DFCC Cagers dominated the half-time scores at 38 points to 33, the half-time lead saw them ease to seal the victory at 79 points to 73 at the end of the full time.

Malinda Fernando with 28 points played a fantastic role for the winners and was ably supported by Maxwel Saranapala who scored 18 points to increase the DFCC Bank’s score.

Sujith Master with 21 points and G. Razzak with 20 points did well for Police Sports Club.

DFCC Bank will meet the winner of Wattala Basketball Club and Sampath Bank in the grand final which will be played today at the same venue. The women’s final also will be worked off today at the same venue. In the women’s final Hatton National Bank will confront Seylan Bank.

Before reaching final Hatton National Bank beat David Peiris Sports Club by 55 points to 45. The former took a close 21 points to 20 lead at the breather.

Dilani Fernando (17) and Kumarine de Silva (16) points were the outstanding players for the winners while Shalika Gomez with 19 points and Kalpani Fernando with ten points did well for David Peiris Sports Club, while Seylan Bank received a walk over from Paulions Basketball Club to secure their place in the final.